Part 2 (1/2)

Strong looked at his watch and rose to his feet. ”It's getting late.

Check the _Polaris_ over and stand by to raise s.h.i.+p in an hour.”

”Yes, sir,” said Tom.

The cadets came to attention, preparing to leave.

”One thing more! Don't get the idea that this is going to be a s.p.a.ce lark,” said Strong. ”It's very important for the people of the Solar Alliance to know what kind of work we're doing here at the Academy. And you three have been selected as representatives of the entire Cadet Corps. So see that you conduct yourselves accordingly. All right, dismissed!”

The three cadets saluted sharply and filed out of the room, their skipper's final words ringing in their ears.

Fifteen minutes later, having packed the necessary gear for the extended trip, the _Polaris_ unit rode the slidewalk through the gra.s.sy quadrangle and the cl.u.s.ter of Academy buildings, out toward the s.p.a.ceport. In the distance they could see the rocket cruiser _Polaris_, poised on the launching ramp, her long silhouette outlined sharply against the blue sky. Resting on her four stabilizer fins, her nose pointed toward the stars, the s.h.i.+p looked like a giant projectile poised and ready to blast its target.

”Look at her!” exclaimed Astro. ”If she isn't the most beautiful s.h.i.+p in the universe, I'll eat my hat.”

”Don't see how you could,” drawled Roger, ”after the way you put away Mrs. Corbett's pies!”

Tom laughed. ”I'll tell you one thing, Roger,” he said, pointing to the s.h.i.+p, ”I feel like that baby is as much my home as Mom's and Dad's house back in New Chicago.”

”All right, all right,” said Roger. ”Since we're all getting sloppy, I have to admit that I'm glad to see that old thrust bucket too!”

Presently the three cadets were scrambling into the mighty s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p, and they went right to work, preparing for blast-off.

Quickly, with sure hands, each began a systematic check of his station.

On the power deck Astro, a former enlisted Solar Guardsman who had been admitted to the Cadet Corps because of his engineering genius, stripped to the waist and started working on the s.h.i.+p's ma.s.sive atomic engines. A heavy rocketman's belt of tools slung around his waist, he crawled through the heart of the s.h.i.+p, adjusting a valve here, turning a screw there, seeing that the reactant feeders were clean and clear to the rocket firing chambers. And last of all he made sure the great rocket firing chambers were secure and the heavy sheets of lead baffling in place to protect him from deadly radioactivity.

On the radar bridge in the nose of the s.h.i.+p, Roger removed the delicate astrogation prism from its housing and cleaned it with a soft cloth.

Replacing it carefully, he turned to the radar scanner, checking the intricate wiring system and making sure that the range finders were in good working order. He then turned his attention to the intercom.

”Radar bridge to control deck,” he called. ”Checking the intercom, Tom.”

Immediately below, on the control deck, Tom turned away from the control panel. ”All clear here, Roger. Check with Astro.”

”All clear on the power deck!” The big Venusian's voice boomed over the loud-speaker. The intercom could be heard all over the s.h.i.+p unless the many speakers were turned off individually.

Tom turned his attention back to the great control panel, and one by one tested the banks of dials, gauges, and indicators that controlled the rocket cruiser. Tom Corbett had wanted to be a s.p.a.ce Cadet as long as he could remember. After taking the entrance exams, he had been accepted for the rigid training that would prepare him to enter the ranks of the great Solar Guard. He had met his two unit-mates, Roger and Astro, on his very first day at the Academy, and after a difficult beginning, adjusting to each other's personalities and the discipline of the Academy routine, the three boys had become steadfast friends.

As control-deck cadet and pilot, Tom was head of the unit, second-in-command to Captain Strong. And while he could issue orders to Astro and Roger and expect to be obeyed, the three cadets all spoke their minds when it came to making difficult decisions. This had solidified the three cadets into a fighting, experienced, dependable unit.

Tom made a final check on the gravity generator and turned to the intercom.

”All departments, report!” he called.

”Radar bridge checks in O.K.,” replied Roger.

”Power deck checks in on the nose, Tom,” reported Astro.

”Right! Stand by! We blast as soon as the skipper gets around.”